After a talk with my rebbetzin, and after hearing a great drash on the topic on Shabbat, I have decided to remove some of my earlier writings from this blog and work on shmirat haloshon (guarding the tongue), both in my written and in my spoken word. The Chofetz Chaim (Rabbi Israel Meir HaCohen Kagan, 1838-1933) was the preeminent teacher on shmirat haloshon, and his teachings have been condensed into a daily lesson book called Chofetz Chaim: A Lesson A Day, which I have just purchased. Interestingly, the Chofetz Chaim got his nickname from Tehillim 34:13, which states, "Who is the man that desires life (hechafetz chaim), who loves days to see good? Guard your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking guile...." The Chofetz Chaim also wrote the Mishnah Berurah, a widely accepted halachic work that provides current remarks and practices from the Rishonim based on the teachings in the Shulchan Aruch.

Labels: Judaism